Another name is in the hat to run for the position of Sheriff in Rutherford County. WGNS confirmed on Thursday that Detective Ralph Mayercik with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office will run for the position and seek the full support of the Republican Party in 2014.
A press release from Detective Mayercik stated, “In 1995, Ralph began his career with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, initially working in the detention facility but was soon transferred to the Patrol Division after successful completion of the Tennessee POST (Police Officer Standardized Training) Academy.”
Actual Press Release FROM Detective Mayercik:
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Detective Ralph Mayercik has made the announcement to seek the Republican Party’s nomination for Sheriff in 2014. Ralph moved here in 1978 when his Father retired and relocated the family to Murfreesboro, looking for a better quality of life for the family. He has been a resident of Murfreesboro for the past 35 years. Ralph knew early on that he wanted to pursue a career in Public Service and was actively involved as a volunteer firefighter for the Walter Hill Fire Department. Ralph has been married to Paige Mayercik for 13 years and they have two grown children and one 9 year old.
In 1995, Ralph began his career with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, initially working in the detention facility but was soon transferred to the Patrol Division after successful completion of the Tennessee POST (Police Officer Standardized Training) Academy. During the next 7 years, in the patrol division, Ralph became a FTO (Field Training Officer), training new recruits, and served on the Crisis Response Team as a Hostage Negotiator. During this time Ralph became eligible for promotion to Sergeant but decided he preferred to focus on investigations. In 2003 Ralph was transferred to the Investigations Division, where he currently serves as a Detective investigating Cold Case Homicides, a position he obtained after completing the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee. Ralph is also a member of the Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol and a member of the 16th Judicial District's Child Fatality Review Team.
During Ralph's time at the Sheriff's Office, he has been involved in the investigations of many large scale cases involving bank robberies, thefts, burglaries, rapes, child abuse cases, as well as homicides, and assisted the District Attorney General's Office in the prosecution of these cases. These cases included not only the investigation, but the coordination and supervision of resources required to successfully prosecute them. During Ralph's 18 years at the Sheriff's Office, he has attended numerous law enforcement related schools around the country and has studied extensively in the fields of Homicide and Death Investigations, Child Abuse and Neglect Investigation and Prevention, as well as Forensic Science in Law Enforcement. For a complete profile of Ralph's Law Enforcement Training, visit his website at mayercikforsheriff.com.
Ralph enjoys sharing his knowledge with fellow law enforcement officers and the community, teaching and speaking at events locally and throughout the state, embracing the thought that this knowledge "must be shared with enthusiasm". He further believes very strongly in the future of our children, both in education and protecting them from the dangers they face in society today. Ralph teaches a number of different courses, including Homicide and Death Investigation; Forensics; and Child Abuse, Neglect and Prevention. He is also active with theChildAdvocacyCenterand is an Authorized Facilitator for their Darkness to Light, Stewards of Children training program. Ralph has been teaching Child Abuse and Prevention throughout the state for several years and believes that you cannot spread the word enough. "Every time we can get another child advocate on our side, I feel like we are winning the battle."
In making his announcement to run for Sheriff of Rutherford County, Ralph makes it clear what his team's goals will encompass. Being fiscally conservative, Ralph believes that the Office of Sheriff must be more conservative with the taxpayer's money. There must be a clear plan for any and all future spending, balancing NEEDS and WANTS and understanding the difference between them. He knows, that under his guidance, he and his administration can better manage the funds and resources entrusted to them by the taxpayers of Rutherford County.
Ralph also believes, very strongly, in an office with integrity, accountability, and professional values. Public Officials must be accountable for their actions to the public who have elected them, taking pride in their accomplishments as well as facing their problems head on. If mistakes are made, they must be addressed and corrected and not swept under the carpet hoping it will be forgotten. Public trust is not freely given, it is earned, and he will hold the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office to a higher standard than it has had in the past. Ralph is proud to work with the many fine men and women of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and will ensure that each and every one of them never forget that they serve the citizens and visitors of this county and are Public Servants. "We must not be in these positions for personal gain or self-empowerment."
Finally, he believes in a team approach to better management of the Sheriff's Office and how they will interact withCountyGovernmentand the public in the future. We must remember that we are all working toward one common goal, to provide the best quality service to the citizens and taxpayers ofRutherfordCounty. The Sheriff's Office should not be focused on one man but on the citizens of our county, and the team of men and women that make it run smoothly on a daily basis. Ralph will bring a strong team of leaders to the office that will bring back the continuity, trust, experience and morale that the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office needs to make it strong and proud. “Politics will be removed from within the office, giving all the employees the same opportunities for advancement and to be successful in performing their duties with strict professional standards. The Citizens of Rutherford County deserve no less.”
Ralph is honored to have Jim Averwater, President of Averwater Construction, Inc., as his campaign treasurer. Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree from theUniversityofTennessee Martinin 1981 and is a custom home builder inRutherfordCounty. Jim is a current member of the Rutherford County Planning Commission and the Codes Enforcement Adjustments and Appeals Board. Jim has also served on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. He is on the Board of Directors of Homebuilders Association of Tennessee and the Board of Directors of Rutherford County Homebuilders Association. Jim is a past President and Chairman of the Board for the Rutherford County Home Builder's Association.
